MUSCAT: The 2025 Dhofar Khareef season has seen a notable increase in tourist arrivals, with estimated figures showing a 2.1 percent rise compared to the same period in 2024, which recorded 810,085 visitors. The total number of visitors for this year reflects the growing popularity of the region as a prime tourist destination, underscoring Oman’s appeal for both domestic and international travellers. The event’s unique climate, natural scenery, and cultural attractions continue to draw significant attention from across the region and beyond.
Omani visitors contributed significantly to the overall increase, with 591,577 individuals arriving this season, representing a 71.5 percent rise from previous years. Additionally, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals accounted for 143,431 visitors, while travellers from other nationalities numbered 92,107. These figures highlight the widespread appeal of the Khareef season and Oman’s continued efforts to position itself as a major tourism hub within the Gulf and internationally.
Most travellers entered Dhofar by land, with 639,962 visitors arriving through road networks, reflecting a strong preference for road travel among regional tourists. Air travel also showed a marked increase, with 187,153 visitors arriving by plane, representing a 15.5 percent growth compared to the previous year. These statistics indicate balanced growth across different modes of transport, demonstrating improved accessibility and infrastructure in the Dhofar region for tourists and visitors alike.
Nearly half of the total visitors, 46.5 percent, arrived during the first half of August, from the 1st to the 15th, marking the peak period of the Khareef season. This concentration of arrivals underscores the seasonal attraction and timing of the festival, as well as the strategic planning of tourism initiatives by Omani authorities. Overall, the 2025 season reflects strong growth trends, enhanced infrastructure, and effective promotion of Dhofar as a key cultural and natural destination within Oman.
